“Selection for the South Suffolk constituency will be opened in due course.”

It is understood that 82% of the constituency’s Conservative Association members took part in the ballot – and that Mr Yeo lost by about 230 votes to 265.

The decision means the South Suffolk association can now look for a new candidate to fight the seat at the next general election.

After the result of the ballot was declared, Mr Yeo issued a statement saying: “It has been a privilege to serve as MP for South Suffolk since 1983. I will continue to work for all my constituents until the General Election next year.

“I am immensely grateful to all those Conservative Party members who voted for me to continue as their MP. I now ask them all to campaign for my successor with the same loyalty and dedication they have shown to me.

“I will give my full and unqualified support to whoever is chosen as the candidate here in South Suffolk. I wish him or her every success.”

Toby Kramers, Chairman of South Suffolk Conservative Association said: “This has been a difficult time for the Association. Our priority now is to work together for success in the European elections later this year and in the General Election in 2015.”

A bit of an odd headline this - it sort of assumes that Tim Yeo would otherwise automatically be re-elected in 2015 (as a Tory in a safe seat). With a majority of 8,689, hardly earth-shatteringly large, it's more than possible that someone else, even from another party, will get a go now.